The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) along with local law enforcement will be hosting another collection event. This event is an opportunity for the public to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
Date: Saturday April 28, 2012 Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm PST
What are Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)?
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) comprise a diverse group of chemicals including, but not limited to, prescription and over-the-counter human drugs, veterinary drugs, diagnostic agents, nutritional supplements, and other consumer products such as fragrances, cosmetics, and sun-screen agents.1,2,3,4 The term PPCPs refers to the products we use for personal health or cosmetic reasons.2 We swallow them, rub them on to our skin, have them injected or administer them to our pets. We get them with a prescription or purchase them over the counter.
PPCPs are an emerging issue. PPCPs can be introduced into the environment through many routes.1,3,4 Treated and untreated domestic sewage containing excreted PPCPs and their metabolites following human use represents an important source of these compounds in the environment. Other sources which can potentially introduce PPCPs into the environment include: leaching from landfills following disposal of expired and unused products; disposal of expired and unused PPCPs in the toilet; release of unabsorbed externally applied PPCPs (e.g. lotions) to surface waters from activities such as swimming; excreta from animals including pets and other domestic animals; use of sewage solids and manure for soil amendment and fertilization; and industrial manufacturing waste streams.
How are These Chemicals Affecting the Environment?
The U.S. Geologic Services has reported that PPCPs such as steroids, prescription and nonprescription drugs, antibiotics, hormones, and fragrances have been detected in water samples collected from streams considered susceptible to contamination from various wastewater sources such as those downstream from intense urbanization or livestock.5 Potential risk to aquatic organisms due to exposure to PPCPs in the environment has been identified as a primary concern given that aquatic organisms may be continually exposed to chemicals, including multi-generational exposures.2,3 There is also concern for subtle effects on ecological receptors when exposed to low concentrations. For humans, consumption of potable water which may contain trace concentrations (in the part per trillion to part per billion) of various PPCPs has been identified as one of the primary potential routes of exposure.5 To date, much research has focused on the potential for pathogen resistance to antibiotics and endocrine distribution by natural and synthetic sex steroids.2,3 At this time, many unknowns remain regarding the potential for adverse effects on ecological receptors and humans from exposure to PPCPs in the environment. As new information becomes available, this will facilitate more detailed evaluations of the potential toxicological significance of the detection of PPCPs in the environment. More about the toxicological issues associated with PPCPs.
What are the Regulatory Issues Associated with Pharmaceutical Management?
For a long time, the regulatory distinction between hazardous waste (as defined in the law and by U.S. EPA and DTSC in regulation) and medical waste (with its own definitions) has hampered a truly environmentally-protective approach to the very complex issues surrounding pharmaceutical management. Only recently have environmental agencies begun to grapple with these issues. There are many levels of this very complex problem that, as a multi-media, multi-disciplinary scientific agency, DTSC intends to explore. More about the regulatory issues around pharmaceutical management.
How Can I Reduce or Prevent Releases of This Waste to the Environment?
As a Household
Educate ourselves, family members, friends and coworkers about this emerging environmental issue. DTSC created this web page as an information portal on this topic and related subjects.
For most of us, we have been trained to get rid of old or unwanted drugs by flushing them down the toilet. This practice evolved from our desire to keep potentially dangerous drugs out of the hands of others, especially children. However, recent research is showing that this may be the least environmentally friendly method of disposing of old or unwanted drugs. The proper disposal practice may vary depending on county you live in or the wastewater agency that serves your region. Before disposing of old or unwanted drugs, consult your local wastewater agency or household hazardous waste center on the proper disposal practice for your area.
Other actions you might consider to reduce the amount of PPCPs entering the environment are to store your medications properly so they will be useful until their established shelf life. Pay attention to the storage instructions just as you do the dosage instructions.
As a Hospital
For old or used pharmaceuticals, currently there is not a best pollution prevention alternative, elimination or substitution. Practice Greenhealth has a web page with information regarding pharmaceutical wastes from health care facilities.
The Office of Pollution Prevention and Technology Development (OPPTD) is preparing the first SB14 Assessment Report on the pharmaceutical industries' efforts to reduce hazardous waste. The pharmaceutical industry assessment report will profile each of the 27 California facilities captured by SB14 and listed under Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2833, 2834, 2835, and 2836. Each profile will contain individual facility site information, its major waste stream reduction accomplishments from 1999 to 2002 and their projections for further reducing these major waste streams from 2003 to 2006. More about the SB 14 pharmaceutical industry assessment.